Free The Paderborn Connection by William A. Newton Page A

on the bed.
    The box contained folders of share certificates and transaction details from Kenneth Taberner, Financial Advisor, which at a quick glance showed that Phillip Austen had purchased shares to the value of about two hundred and thirty thousand pounds over the previous three years.
    The second box contained bank statements going back for five years, paying in books, cheque books and an envelope containing about three thousand euros. “That’s interesting” said Andrew who was looking through the cheque books, “he had accounts at three different banks.”
    â€œAnd a Building Society in the U.K. “said Mick picking up the pass book. They put all of the documents they were taking away, along with the laptop, into two of the cardboard boxes.

    *
    They started towards the flat entrance door when Mick said, “Have you looked in that cupboard Andrew?”
    Andrew opened the door and saw that the cupboard contained an ironing board and a vacuum cleaner. In the corner behind the ironing board were four cardboard tubes about eighteen inches long by two inches in diameter that had been posted to the flat. They had been opened and appeared to contain rolled up prints or pictures.
    â€œWe’ll take those I think,” said Mick.
    They put them into one of the boxes.
    They went outside and the letting agent was there waiting for them. Andrew stood talking to the German policeman making sure he had no problems with what they taking away. He wasn’t really interested but just asked that a list be sent to him and he wanted an assurance that the German police would be kept informed of any developments. He said that they might have a word with one or two of the neighbours and did he want to be present.
    He said not and Andrew bade him farewell and he got into his Volkswagen and drove off.
    â€œWe’ve got everything we need Herr Fromm,” said Mick “so the flats all yours. There’s some food in the kitchen which won’t smell too good in this heat, you might want to do something about that. I assume you have procedures for storing personal possessions until they are claimed by the next of kin?”
    â€œYes of course Inspector and the flat will be cleaned and ready for letting to new tenants within a week. I have here the information you requested, a copy of the rental agreement and a copy of his payment record which gives the bank details.”
    â€œThanks very much Herr Fromm, if I may say so you’re very efficient.”
    Karl Fromm smiled and said “I believe we’re famous for it.”

    *
    Mick took the car keys out of his pocket and walked towards the Volvo.
    â€œWill somebody be taking the car?” asked Herr Fromm.
    â€œThe Military police will collect it in the next few days,” said Andrew.
    Mick opened the door and they both looked inside,
    â€œDon’t touch anything Andrew, there will be fingerprints in there. Does your relationship with the Police here extend to getting fingerprints?”
    â€œI’m sure we can sort something out Michael.” They opened the boot but there was nothing of interest in there. Just as they were locking the car, an elderly woman came out of the flat next to Phillip Austen’s.
    â€œGuten tag,” said Andrew “we are colleagues of Herr Austen, come to collect some of the documents he kept at the flat.”
    â€œWhat has happened to Phillip,” she said “I’ve not seen him for a while. He should have returned from his trip last Thursday.”
    â€œI’m afraid he won’t be coming back, unfortunately he died whilst in England,” said Andrew.
    The old lady blanched and Mick took her arm to stop her falling.
    â€œShall we go inside, you need to sit down.”
    Andrew and Mick took her into the flat and helped her into a chair, Mick went into the kitchen and fetched her glass of water.
    â€œHow did he die?” she asked. Andrew told her that he had died